In 2014, the International Sailing Federation ran the first "Aquece Test Event" (their words, not mine) in Guanabara Bay in the City of Rio de Janeiro. A sailor became ill, another was in first place hit trash that stopped them and watched all other boats pass them as they desperately cleared the debris and rounded the mark in last place, and another boat was damaged requiring repairs from hitting floating trash. As a test, this is failure. No other sport would tolerate such conditions.

A lot of things need to come together in a Test. The race committee boats and the race officials have to be at the top of their game. They have to make adjustments for wind, currents and weather. Communication systems have to be tested and proven up to distribute results to the world as its happening. Launching and retrieving the fleet of boats daily has to run smoothly.

And the most important test is that the venue can provide a fair competition.

So here we go again, another Test of Guanabara Bay and this is the final test. There aren't letter grades for this. It is either Pass or Fail.

With a Fail for their mid-term grade in 2014, they must meet the following this August to get a passing grade:

No competitor falls ill;

No competitor has their boat damaged by debris at any time; and,

No competitor hits debris in the water during competition.

Considering all three occurred last year giving them the failing grade, and there has been little progress in the cleaning of debris or pollution in this time, they need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get a passing grade.

A passing grade keeps the 2016 Olympic Sailing Games in Guanabara Bay.

A failing grade must cause the Sailing Venue to move to a clean water site, with the nearest location in the town of Buzios.

The world awaits the results of this Test.

On 7/21/2015 I wrote Alastair Fox, Head of Competitions for the International Sailing Federation, the committee who chose Guanabara Bay as follows:

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Dear Alastair:

With the 2015 Aquece Test Event coming up starting August 13, what is ISAF's criteria and metrics for measuring results from the Test?

He has not bothered with a reply. Should one come forward, I will add it then.

Footnote - I invite all Aquece Test Event Competitors, Coaches and Officials to email me (email address found in right column). I will keep your name secret if you wish. Please share your experiences, or of others you saw with me so I can share them with the world. Let your competitors know about this offer as well. Don't let the truth be hidden. Thank you in advance.

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Meet The Blogger

Glenn McCarthy

As a lifelong sailor, I want to share Chicago's most unused Park called Lake Michigan with everyone. Most of the time sailing is idyllic, and rare moments are scary. Sailors are fun family types, who go out for exercise, fresh air, sunshine and rain, camaraderie, and just to get away from it all. My plan with this blog is to explain the entry points, and most importantly destroy the myth that it is expensive. Your network of friends will amaze you with people of all walks of life. In fact, a sailor who is a writer for the Chicago Tribune recommended I write this blog. Your journey begins here..........